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Today in West Hawaii history | June 17

Editor’s note: This list of notable stories featured in West Hawaii Today throughout the years is compiled from West Hawaii Today archives. It includes historical notes from 10, 20 and 30 years ago. "Today in West Hawaii history" is a daily feature of West Hawaii Today and is available only online at westhawaiitoday.com.

West Hawaii Today

June 17, 1984: John Shepard wins the first Vintage Years Triathlon held June 16, completing the course in two hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds. The Kona event featured a half-mile swim, 25-mile bike ride and five-mile run.

June 17, 1994: Mayor Stephen Yamashiro allows a $154.8 million county budget to become law without his approval signature yesterday because the Hawaii County Council rejected his request for tax relief. Yamashiro submitted a $154.1 million operating budget that included a reduction in the homeowner real property tax rate of $4.45 per $1,000 of assessed building and land valuations. He sought rates of $4.38 per $1,000 of land appraisal and $4.22 per $1,000 in building valuation.

Problems and allegations continue to plague the Family Crisis Shelter Inc., which first came under fire last summer by employees alleging racism and mismanagement. Concern over these allegations and a state Attorney General’s Office investigation have prompted the state Judiciary Branch to call for rebids for the Alternatives to Violence program in West Hawaii in the middle of a two-year contract. The program is run on the Big Island by the Family Crisis Shelter Inc.

Kealakekua Development Corp.’s request for a count injunction against a state petition aimed at blocking its planned subdivision and golf course will not be heard until August. Circuit Court Judge Greg Nakamura has set an Aug. 4 date to entertain opening arguments in a case that could determine the eventual use of KDC’s 11,184 acres above Kealakekua town. KDC has strongly opposed an unprecedented Office of State Planning move to have the private property reclassified from agriculture to conservation.

June 17, 2004: Casey Eason will serve life in prison with the possibility of parole for the April 2003 murder of Michael Rhett Hackmeyer. Eason pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for the state dropping the provision that the was cruel and heinous. That provision would have ensured him life in prison without the possibility of parole.